MANCHESTER UNITED are lining up a sensational return for Barcelona and Spain star Gerard Pique in the upcoming January transfer window.

The 27-year-old started his youth career with the Spanish giants before securing a move to United in 2004 after being spotted by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Pique went on to make just 12 Premier League appearances for the Red Devils before returning to Barcelona in 2008 for a bargain £5million.

Despite turning out for the La Liga outfit 269 times, winning four league title, two Copa del Reys and two Champions Leagues in the process, Pique has failed to make an impression under new boss Luis Enrique.

The powerful centre-back is struggling to break the new partnership of Javier Mascherano and Jeremy Mathieu, and his position in Vicente del Bosque's Spain squad is under threat due to his lack of game time at the Nou Camp.

With the best years of his career still ahead of him, Pique would prove to be a fantastic signing for any club, and outlet AS is reporting that Louis Van Gaal wants to bring him to Old Trafford in January.

United have endured a mixed start under their latest manager, and despite spending a fortune on the likes of Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw over the summer, Van Gaal failed in his attempts to land a top-class defender.

Pique only signed a new deal in May, keeping him tied to Barcelona until 2019, but United have shown they are not afraid to spend big in order to return to the top, and Van Gaal will pull out all the stops to bring the star back to England.